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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' actor Lee Joo-ahn reveals he donated liver to his mother

'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' actor Lee Joo-ahn reveals he donated liver to his mother

Published Oct 3, 2025 10:07 am  |  Updated Oct 3, 2025 04:32 pm
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil (left) in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (tvN, Instagram)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil (left) in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (tvN, Instagram)

Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn, 29, who appeared in the hit Korean series “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” revealed that he donated part of his liver to his ailing mother. 

Lee Joo-ahn played the role of Gong-Gil, a close associate of King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.” 

In an interview with Korean media outlet SpotTV News, Lee Joo-ahn said he was exempted from military service after he donated his liver to his mother. 

"Actually, I'm exempt. I donated a liver to my mother when I was 22. I was later exempted from military service,” he said. 

He said, "My mother had previously suffered from liver problems. I received a call that her condition had suddenly worsened due to cirrhosis and she had become unconscious, so I rushed her to the hospital. She needed urgent surgery, and I consented to the transplant." 

Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (tvN)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (Instagram)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (Instagram)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (extreme left) with Yoona, Lee Chae-min, Park Young-Woon, Kim Kwang-Kyu, Ko Chang-Seok and the director of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (extreme left) with Yoona, Lee Chae-min, Park Young-Woon, Kim Kwang-Kyu, Ko Chang-Seok and the director of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (Instagram)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (extreme left) with Lee Chae-min, Park Young-Woon and Kim Kwang-Kyu on the set of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn (extreme left) with Lee Chae-min, Park Young-Woon and Kim Kwang-Kyu on the set of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (Instagram)
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Korean actor Lee Joo-ahn as Gong-Gil in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" (tvN)

The surgery involved removing 70 percent of his liver. 

According to the Johns Hopkins website, after liver transplant, the donor's "liver will begin to regenerate immediately after surgery and will be back to normal size in eight to 12 weeks."

"Right now, I just feel happy. My mom is so happy. I feel like she's finally taking on the role of telling everyone around her, 'My son is an actor.' Hearing that makes me feel relieved, even though we're far apart," he said. 

He caught the attention of viewers with his looks. 

"It's all thanks to the viewers who enjoyed watching it. I'm grateful to everyone. I'll work hard in the future, so I hope to greet you all with many great projects,” he said. 

He debuted as an actor in 2018 through “Sky Castle” and has appeared in the dramas “Love Song for Illusion,” "Snowdrop," and "True Beauty.”

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